Questions
- Why do international students need a US Apple Account?
- How do I create a US Apple Account as an international student at Bowdoin?
- What address can I use if I don't have a US address for my Apple Account?
- Can I use my existing Apple Account from my home country for my Bowdoin iPad?
- Do I need a US credit card to set up a US Apple Account?
- How do I access Bowdoin's provided apps from the App Store as an international student?
- Can I use my Bowdoin email address to create an Apple Account?
Environment
This article applies to new international students at Bowdoin College who need to create or convert to a US-based Apple Account. A US Apple Account is required to download apps from the US Apple App Store, including apps that Bowdoin provides or recommends for your iPad and MacBook Pro.
- Applies to: International students who do not already have a US-based Apple Account
- Devices covered: Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro and iPad mini
- Prerequisite: An email address and a US mailing address (see step 6 below if you don't have one yet)
- Not covered: General Apple Account setup for all students — see Create an Apple Account in the Related Articles section
Resolution
Follow the steps below to create a new US Apple Account. These steps may change without notice as Apple updates its sign-up process.
- Go to the Apple Account creation page.
- Enter an email address to use as your Apple Account. You may use a personal email address or your Bowdoin email address. We recommend using a personal email address where possible, so your Apple Account is not tied to your Bowdoin account.
- Create a password following Apple's password requirements. Do not share this password with anyone.
- Enter a phone number you have access to — Apple will send verification codes to this number during setup and for future sign-ins.
- Complete email and phone verification when prompted by entering the codes Apple sends you.
- After your account is created, scroll down to the Payment & Shipping section and click Add Payment Method.
- For payment method, you may select None if you do not plan to purchase paid apps. Bowdoin provides many apps at no cost, but some useful apps may have a fee.
- Even if you select None, you must enter a US mailing address and phone number.
- For the required US address, use one of the following options:
- Your Bowdoin campus mailing address (if assigned), or
- The Bowdoin Mail Center address: 6000 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011. Note: this address is for Apple Account registration purposes only — it cannot be used to receive physical mail or packages.
- Select Copy Billing Address to use the same address for shipping, then scroll up and click Save.
Already have a non-US Apple Account? If your existing Apple Account is registered to a country outside the United States, you will need to create a new account using the steps above. Bowdoin-provided apps are distributed through the US App Store and are not accessible from accounts registered to other countries.
Tip: You can have two Apple Accounts — your existing home-country account and a new US account — and switch between them on your device. Your personal purchases from your home-country account are not lost.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources